Ricotta Zeppole

Sharing is caring!

Growing up one of  my most favorite treats was fried dough with powdered sugar – known by most as Zeppole.   Another name my family used for them was “pettole”.  It’s what they call Zeppole in the Italian region of Puglia, or at least in my Grandmother’s town in Bari. They are often rolled in “vin cotta” (a reduced wine syrup) .  My husbands family, on the other hand, call them Zeppole and drizzle them with honey, they are from the Naples region.

Whatever they are called, Zeppole, Petole, or Italian Donuts, these fried dough treats always bring fond memories of my childhood.  My mother even fried leftover pizza dough and called them Zeppole.  I  have distinct memories of burning my tongue from eating them way too hot.  Ouch,the memories, but I wouldn’t trade them in for anything!

 I’ve tried many times to make Zeppole and failed miserably. The outside would be cooked and the inside raw.  That’s partially because most Italian Mother’s don’t measure the heat of the oil, but use some sort of eyeball voodoo to know the oil is just right.   It is frustrating to say the least.  In the past I used my  Nonna’s (grandmother) recipe which was written in pounds of this and pounds of that. I sometimes wonder if these so called recipes were written in hieroglyphics or logo graphics it would make them easier to decode.

Like many times before, I almost gave up, until I  found this great (very specific) recipe in old church cookbook.  It was  for Zeppole made with ricotta and flour.  It was a great find and I am now able to successfully make this delicious treat!

Sift and combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl

Add vanilla and eggs. Add eggs one at a time and mix through after adding each. Combine well before adding flour.

Heat oil to 365 degrees F I use Canola oil

When oil is hot drop by teaspoonfuls (rounded) into the hot oil.

Zeppole will sink to the bottom and then pop up. I find once they are just brown enough they turn over on their own.

Keep a careful eye on them. When they are golden brown on both sides they are done.

Drain on a papertowel

Sprinkle with powdered sugar if you choose.

The inside should look like this.. Serve warm and enjoy!

TIPS:

• Zeppole can be tricky to make, I’ve learned that you must make sure the oil is at exactly the perfect temperature.  The perfect temperature for the oil is about 360-365 degrees F.  They will burn if the oil is too hot and be raw inside.
• The best tip I have is to do a small test batch to see if you need to adjust the temperature. When you find it try and keep the oil at that  heat level.  If your frying in a pot or pan use a candy thermometer that will clip on the inside of the pan and register the temperature and then you can easily adjust the flame as needed.

I am as guilty as my Italian family, and eyeballed it a bit. I guess  I’m a little old fashioned that way.  When it comes to deep frying, I still use a deep  pan filled with oil.  I don’t deep fry all that often so I stick with this method.  One day I may bite the bullet and invest in a good deep fryer.

A word about Amazon Links: from time to time I post links to amazon for products that I use in a specific blog post. I do receive credit from amazon if you purchase this item through the direct link, but I NEVER post or suggest a product that I do not use or sincerely recommend. I do receive a commision from Amazon at no extra charge to you when you shop these links. 

I like to use a small COOKIE SCOOP like the one below when making the zeppole – they are all the same size and it’s less messy. Another item that I recommend when making these is a DEEP FRY THERMOMETER that clips to side of your pot to make sure the temperature of oil is just right. 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE BLOG FAVORITES

• Simple San Marzano Tomato Sauce
• Homemade Manicotti
• Eggplant Rollatini

Italian Ricotta Doughnuts

Fried doughnut made with flour and ricotta cheese

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Cuisine Italian

Servings 40

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 15 oz Whole milk Ricotta
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract optional
• 3 cups Vegetable Oil for deep frying

Instructions

 

• Cream ricotta with a stand/hand mixer. Add vanilla Add eggs one at a time and combine well after adding each egg.
• Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined (do not over mix) Let batter stand for 1/2 hour at room temperature
• Heat up frying oil in a deep pan (about 2/3rds) the way full to about 365 degrees F (Aprox 6 1/2 cups frying oil). Test with a thermometer and when oil reaches 365 degrees F carefully drop by teaspoonfuls into the oil. Fry 4 at a time. Flip over to cook both sides. Carefully remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
• Shake or roll in confectionary sugar, cinnamon sugar or eat plain.

Notes

Keep oil at 365 degrees - if too hot the outside will cook and the inside will be raw
Test one to start and adjust temperature of oil if needed

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!